ENG vs IND Report Card: A+ for Siraj and Gill, Karun-Sudharsan disappoint
Here's a look at how the Indian players fared through the course of this memorable series.BattersKarun Nair, Sai Sudharsan – 3/10Both players had an opportunity to cement their place in the side but failed to leave a lasting impression. While they did score a fifty each, neither looked comfortable against the moving ball. Sudharsan might still have time on his side to settle into Test cricket, but for Nair, the window may be closing.Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul – 7/10The opening pair were solid for the most part. Jaiswal continued to impress with his fearless strokeplay and temperament, notching up another century on foreign soil. Rahul played the senior partner's role admirably, digging in and blunting the new ball when needed, showing glimpses of the player who once scored a hundred at Lord's.Shubman Gill – 8.5/10Tasked with captaincy and batting at the iconic No. 4 position, Gill rose to the occasion in grand fashion. He scored over 700 runs, led from the front with maturity, and often anchored the innings during pressure situations. His ability to play big innings is becoming a hallmark, though his returns on tougher pitches remain a point for improvement.WicketkeepersRishabh Pant - 8.5/10What can you say about Rishabh Pant. Under pressure due to his poor outings in Australia and then in the IPL, Pant broke the shackles and scored important runs with the bat. Battered and bruised, he simply refused to give up, even batting with a fractured toe in the Manchester Test match.
Dhruv Jurel – 6/10Jurel, though not given much time to prepare put in a braveheart of a performance behind the stumps. At Lord's he was shaky due to the slope, but he made up for that with his scintillating performance at the Oval.All-RoundersShardul Thakur – 3/10The comeback wasn't ideal for Thakur, who looked off-colour with both bat and ball. Despite good domestic performances, he failed to replicate that form in English conditions, struggling to make any impact across the series.Nitish Reddy – 4.5/10Reddy showed glimpses of promise with the ball, particularly during the Lord's Test, but his batting fell short of expectations. He is still adjusting to the demands of Test cricket, and while this series may not have gone his way, he remains an exciting prospect.Washington Sundar – 7/10Brought in to deepen the batting, Sundar fulfilled his role well, especially in the Manchester Test. His innings helped India stay in the game. His spell at Lord's also raised questions about whether he should've been used more with the ball.Ravindra Jadeja – 7.5/10Jadeja silenced critics with five successive 50+ scores, asserting his value as a dependable batter in the middle order. However, his bowling was less effective, possibly due to the conditions, though questions remain about his tactical use of angles and fields.
advertisementBowlersJasprit Bumrah – 5/10While Bumrah remains India's premier pacer, this series was below par by his high standards. Limited to just three matches due to workload management, he failed to pick up key wickets in crunch moments. Whether this is a dip in form or fatigue remains to be seen.Prasidh Krishna – 5/10Krishna showed he can handle pressure, especially during the comeback in the final Test. Though he lacked consistency, the raw pace and bounce he generated hinted at potential that, if nurtured, could serve India well.Akash Deep – 6/10While his bowling still needs refinement, Akash Deep impressed with his gritty half-century in the final Test. He has the ability to tie one end down, but India will need him to develop into a more attacking bowler to be a long-term option.Mohammed Siraj – 9/10India's hero of the series. Siraj played all five Tests, bowled the most overs, and ended as the series' leading wicket-taker. His spell on the final day at The Oval will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the series. He wasn't always consistent, but his aggression, spirit, and belief made all the difference. Without Bumrah by his side in crucial phases, Siraj took the lead and proved he is now among the world's top fast bowlers.India's 2-2 result in England is not just a reflection of grit but also of depth. Even without senior stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ashwin, the team found ways to fight back and match England blow for blow. The rise of young stars, the emergence of new leaders, and Siraj's relentless fire have left Indian fans with much to look forward to in the coming years.- EndsMust Watch
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